Against all odds !

India, in association with the World Health Organisation (WHO), launched one of the world’s most extensive immunisation campaigns against measles and rubella on 5 February 2017.

For that campaign, health worker Geeta Verma trudged through tumultuous terrains on her bike and walked long distances to far-flung settlements to immunise children in Mandi’s remotest settlements, high in the hills of Himachal Pradesh.

Hailing from the village of Sapnot in Karsog tehsil of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, this woman health worker has finally received the global recognition she deserved from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Geeta Verma has been featured in WHO’s 2018 calendar for ensuring 100% coverage under measles and rubella programme under her area of operation.

Geeta, who was deployed at Shakardehra health sub-centre, in Jhanjeli block of Mandi district, shot into the limelight after a photograph of her riding a motorcycle on an arduous road in Seraj valley carrying the measles/rubella (MR) vaccine box to Raygarh went viral on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp last year.

She risked her own well-being to vaccinate the children of shepherds and Gurjar community residing in makeshift camps in far flung areas of Raygarh.

Her inclusion in the calendar is a proud moment for the state and country.

Congratulating the health worker, Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said it was a matter of pride for the state that a woman health worker found mention in the WHO calendar, according to the Times of India.

He encouraged all health workers to develop the same kind of commitment towards their job and an impulse for serving people with dedication.

It is indeed a proud moment for India that health workers like Geeta, who serve selflessly at the grassroots level without vying for any public or media attention, are being recognised by acclaimed global organisations.

It is due to the hard work and dedication of health workers like Geeta that India can protect its children from life-threatening and alter health conditions like measles and rubella.